Chapter 141: Yuan Shoucheng, Master of Psychology (Combined Chapter)

Page (1/3)

The publication of the comic created two extremes in Chang’an. The young people practically worshiped it, unable to tear themselves away, while the scholars vehemently opposed it.

In this age of the Great Tang, books were an exceedingly scarce resource. Although woodblock printing had already spread throughout the empire, and more than a dozen printing houses had opened in Chang’an alone, sending the prices of books plummeting, many people still objected to using precious paper for something as seemingly useless as comics.

Fortunately, Mo Dun had ordered Mo San to devote himself entirely to printing the new-style mathematics books, postponing the second volume of the comic. This somewhat dampened the comic craze.

“The Women’s Medical College is accepting students!”

Once this sensational news spread through the city, it immediately set all of Chang’an ablaze, rescuing the comic from the whirlpool of public controversy.

“Women are allowed to attend school as well? This is nothing short of a hen crowing at dawn!” A gray-haired Taoist with a long beard shook his head as he watched young women, escorted by their elders, make their way toward the Imperial Academy.

Many people nearby stared at the venerable Taoist in surprise. One young man asked, “Daoist priest, have you only just arrived in Chang’an?”

The old Taoist raised his brows. “How did you know, young man? It is true that I have only just returned from Jiangnan.”

“You are unaware of the circumstances, Old Sir. The Women’s Medical College was established with His Majesty’s approval, and the divine physician Sun Simiao personally teaches medicine there. It is an institution dedicated to training female physicians. Everyone in Chang’an knows about it!” the young man explained.

“I am familiar with that old physician Sun Simiao. But even so, women appearing in public will surely damage their reputations. And even if they study medicine, can they disregard the separation between men and women? The great principles of human relations must still be observed.” The old Taoist frowned.

“Your concerns were considered long ago by the Mohist scion. Apart from Divine Physician Sun’s medical lessons, all the other classes are taught by his female disciples. The college is also run under strict residential regulations. Its staff are all palace ladies, the students may leave only once a month, and they must be escorted by their parents,” the young man said in a torrent of words, reciting every regulation of the Mohist Hospital as though he knew them by heart.

Mo Dun had spared no effort over the Women’s Medical College. He had directly applied every kind of strict residential management used by later generations, finally dispelling the doubts of Chang’an’s people.

“I naturally trust Divine Physician Sun’s character. But this Mohist scion you speak of is…”

“What? You do not know the Mohist scion? He is—” The young man’s eyes lit up, and he launched into an animated account of Mo Dun’s many exploits, listing them as familiarly as treasured heirlooms.

“You mean the Sheep Immortal that flew over Chang’an was the work of the Mohist scion?” The old Taoist’s eyes brightened.

“You misunderstand, Daoist priest. It was no Sheep Immortal. It was merely a sky lantern released by the Mohist scion.”

“The Sheep Immortal ascending into the heavens, sorcerer-doctors harming people, methods for resisting drought… I have been away from Chang’an for only a few years, yet such a figure has appeared here.” The old Taoist sighed and departed.

“Yuan Shoucheng?” The young man pondered for a long while, feeling that he had heard the name somewhere before.

“Old Immortal Yuan!”

After some time, the young man finally recalled Yuan Shoucheng’s legendary deeds. He turned and looked in every direction, only to discover that Yuan Shoucheng had vanished. He could not help lamenting his misfortune. If only he had seized the opportunity to ask the old immortal to tell his fortune!

With another sigh, the young man headed toward the Imperial Academy. Today was the day the Women’s Medical College was accepting students, and the place was certain to be lively.

“Quickly, quickly!”

Qin Huaiyu took the lead and dashed toward the Top Scholar Tower.

“Do not run so fast!” Mo Dun gasped for breath. Although he practiced the Five-Animal Exercises regularly, how could he compare with the three young men who tempered their bodies every day? As for the frailer Zu Mingjun, he had long since vanished behind them.

“After today, these female physicians will never be coming out again. We will not have another chance to see them!” Cheng Chumo said excitedly.

Yuchi Baolin gave a chuckle and charged into the Top Scholar Tower without slowing at all.

Speechless, Mo Dun looked at the three walking bundles of hormones. Since it was the day of the Women’s Medical College’s entrance examinations, he had asked the constables of Wannian County to seal off three streets, permitting only women to enter. The Top Scholar Tower also occupied an excellent location, so the three young men had rushed there the moment classes ended.

Mo Dun stepped into the Top Scholar Tower and immediately realized that something was wrong. Qin Huaiyu and the other two, who had entered first, were standing obediently beside a private room on the second floor. Dressed in plain clothes, Pang De was watching Mo Dun with an amused smile.

“Er…”

Since Pang De was here, Li Shimin must be here as well. Mo Dun had no choice but to follow Pang De into the private room.

Inside, the four young men stood neatly in a row without needing to be told. To their surprise, Li Shimin merely glanced at them, then left them standing to one side while he chatted animatedly with a white-haired Taoist whose face was as youthful as a child’s.

Only after a long while did the two men turn their attention to Mo Dun and the others.

Page (2/3)

“What were you saying you wanted to see just now?” Li Shimin asked with a cold smile.

“Nothing! Nothing at all!”

“We only came here for a meal!”

The four hastily waved their hands and offered excuses, their faces drained of color.

“Your Majesty, do not be angry. They are merely young men who enjoy joining in the excitement,” the old Taoist said, coming to their aid.

“Hmph! For Daoist Yuan’s sake, I will let you off this once.” Li Shimin surprisingly spared the four of them, and Mo Dun immediately realized that the old Taoist before him was no ordinary man.

“Thank you, Daoist priest.” Suppressing his doubts, Mo Dun and the other three hurriedly thanked him in unison.

“This is Daoist Yuan Shoucheng. Just now, Daoist Yuan wagered with Me that the four of you would certainly come here today. And so you have. Daoist Yuan truly possesses astonishing foresight,” Li Shimin said admiringly.

Yuan Shoucheng!

Mo Dun trembled when he heard the name. This was a mighty figure of Taoism, renowned in countless historical legends. Moreover, his nephew Yuan Tiangang was even more accomplished than he, and together with his disciple Li Chunfeng, Yuan Tiangang had composed the Prophecy of the Pushback, a work said to have foretold two thousand years of the Tang dynasty’s national fate.

Mo Dun knew all too well what kind of person he himself was. Standing before such a legendary figure from history, how could he not feel a chill run through him?

“Mo Dun of the Mohist School pays his respects to Daoist Yuan.” Mo Dun drew a deep breath and greeted him through clenched teeth.

“I never imagined that, after leaving Chang’an for only ten years, the Mohist School, silent for a thousand years, would produce such a person of extraordinary talent.” Yuan Shoucheng looked at Mo Dun and praised him with repeated exclamations of wonder.

“Daoist Yuan, do not flatter this boy. He is as slippery as a little catfish and is best at climbing any pole offered to him,” Li Shimin said with a cold snort.

“Hahaha! I envy the bold vigor of these young calves who have just been born. While traveling in Jiangnan, I also heard of the Mohist School exposing the frauds of sorcerer-doctors. You have rid my Taoist faith of one of its great scourges!” Yuan Shoucheng said.

Aside from witches and spirit mediums, many unscrupulous Taoists used similar methods to swindle people and deceive them with magic rites, damaging the reputation of the Taoist tradition. Mo Dun’s actions had indeed done Taoism a great service.

“You are too kind, Daoist priest. This was all due to His Majesty’s wisdom and might. I would not dare claim any credit,” Mo Dun hurriedly declined.

“Hahaha! His Majesty was right. The Mohist scion truly is slippery,” Yuan Shoucheng laughed heartily.

Li Shimin glared at Mo Dun, then leaned slightly toward Yuan Shoucheng. “I invited Daoist Yuan here today because there is something I wish to ask you about.”

“Please speak, Your Majesty.”

“For some time now, I have been waking suddenly from my dreams at night, drenched in cold sweat. Do you know of any way to resolve this?” Li Shimin asked in a low voice.

Yuan Shoucheng studied Li Shimin’s complexion and expression in surprise. After counting on his fingers, he said, “Your Majesty began waking from these dreams after the drought, when you had the clay statue of the Dragon King of the Jing River beheaded south of the city—is that correct?”

“Daoist Yuan truly possesses divine insight. That is exactly so!” Li Shimin said in amazement.

“Your Majesty possesses the body of a true dragon. Though the Dragon King of the Jing River was only a clay statue, it still collided with your dragon aura. That is why you have suffered these nightmares.”

“Daoist priest, is there a way to resolve this?” Li Shimin asked urgently.

Although Li Shimin had ordered the eradication of superstition, that had merely been after confirming that many such practices were fraudulent. It did not mean that he himself disbelieved in ghosts and gods. On the contrary, Li Shimin was deeply devout.

When he was young, a scholar skilled in physiognomy had once seen him and declared, “You possess the bearing of a dragon and phoenix, the countenance of the sun. By the age of twenty, you will surely save the realm and bring peace to the people.” Li Yuan had therefore taken the meaning of “saving the realm and bringing peace to the people” and given his son the name Shimin.

Sure enough, around the age of twenty, Li Shimin had raised an army, conquered the realm, and pacified the four quarters, proving worthy of those four words.

Yuan Shoucheng stroked his beard and spoke with confidence. “Most of Your Majesty’s subordinates are battle-hardened generals, their murderous auras reaching the heavens. Simply choose two of them to guard the outside of Your Majesty’s sleeping quarters, and I guarantee that no harm will come to you.”

“My father is willing to guard His Majesty!” Qin Huaiyu and Yuchi Baolin cried out together.

Though Yuchi Baolin was usually a man of few words, he never failed to step forward at a crucial moment.

Cheng Chumo was half a beat too slow. He opened his mouth regretfully, but the opportunity was already gone.

Mo Dun’s heart jolted. He had never imagined that he would once again witness the birth of the door gods.

Page (3/3)

“Hmm? General Qin and General Yuchi are indeed suitable candidates. However, neither is suited to remaining in the inner palace for long. I have heard that the Mohist School’s new painting techniques can make the false appear real. If the Mohist scion could paint portraits of the two men, then after I performed the proper rites, we could hang them outside the door. That would surely prevent any petty villains from disturbing His Majesty again.” Yuan Shoucheng looked at Mo Dun.

“I am willing to relieve His Majesty of this concern,” Mo Dun quickly replied.

The Top Scholar Tower was Mo Dun’s headquarters, and it contained every kind of painting tool imaginable. He immediately had Master Yu bring out brushes and boards, then painted two enormous portraits of the door gods, using Qin Qiong and Yuchi Jingde as his models.

Mo Dun carefully applied color to the paintings. In an instant, two fierce generals sprang vividly to life upon the paper, their eyes as large as bronze bells, swords in hand, their faces savage and terrifying, as though ready to devour anyone who approached.

To be honest, the two door gods resembled Qin Qiong and Yuchi Jingde only in broad outline. Yet they were precisely the sort of portraits Yuan Shoucheng had requested.

“The Mohist scion truly lives up to his reputation!”

Yuan Shoucheng gazed at Mo Dun, inwardly shaken by the young man, who seemed to possess a heart of exquisite understanding. Everyone else assumed that he was praising Mo Dun’s painting skill, but Yuan Shoucheng understood how rare it was for someone to grasp another’s meaning from the slightest hint. Had Mo Dun not belonged to the Mohist School, he would have been an ideal heir to Yuan Shoucheng’s own teachings.

“Not at all. Painting is merely a minor art. It is your immortal technique that is truly profound,” Mo Dun replied meaningfully.

After Li Shimin and Yuan Shoucheng departed, the four young men breathed a collective sigh of relief. As for the Women’s Medical College, they had long since forgotten all about it.

“Daoist Yuan truly is a man of the immortals. He actually calculated that we would come here. This defeat is not unjust. If only we had known, we would never have come,” Qin Huaiyu said, swallowing an entire pot of tea before gasping for breath.

“Exactly, exactly.” Cheng Chumo and Yuchi Baolin nodded repeatedly.

“Do you really think he calculated it merely by counting on his fingers?” Mo Dun asked.

“Was it not so? The three of us came here the moment we left the academy. No one knew we were coming.” Qin Huaiyu looked puzzled.

“The Mohist School has conducted studies similar to this concerning human psychology and behavior. By judging a person, one can predict what he will do next. Think carefully. Today is the day the Women’s Medical College is accepting students. Several streets have been sealed off, and the Top Scholar Tower is the best location in the vicinity. It is closest to the Imperial Academy, and it is also our own establishment. Tell me—would we not come here to watch the admissions?”

“In other words, our coming here was inevitable,” Cheng Chumo said, suddenly enlightened.

“Then what about our fathers guarding His Majesty?” Qin Huaiyu asked anxiously.

“People have nightmares because they lack a sense of security. If they know that the most capable and most trusted people are guarding them, they naturally feel secure and will no longer suffer nightmares,” Mo Dun said quietly.

Mo Dun could even guess that Li Shimin’s nightmares had certainly not begun only after the clay statue of the Dragon King was beheaded. Most likely, Li Shimin had not slept peacefully since the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

And Yuan Shoucheng was undoubtedly a master of psychology. He knew the true source of Li Shimin’s troubles, so he deliberately followed the emperor’s own interpretation, using the Dragon King of the Jing River as a scapegoat and then suggesting that two great generals guard him.

Of course, Mo Dun would never speak these words aloud. Even though Qin Huaiyu and the other two were his closest and most trusted friends, he could expose Yuan Shoucheng and offend the Taoist faith, but he could not tear away the veil concealing Li Shimin’s dignity.

“So that is how it is! Who would have thought there could be such a marvelous field of learning?” Qin Huaiyu exclaimed.

“Then does that mean Yuan Shoucheng is not so extraordinary after all?” Cheng Chumo curled his lip. He had trusted Yuan Shoucheng completely, never imagining that the truth could be so ordinary.

“Not extraordinary?” Mo Dun looked at him in astonishment. “If someone can see straight through you and know what you will do next, what do you call that?”

The three men shuddered at the same time.

“Let everything that happened today remain buried in your hearts. Not a word of it may leave this room,” Mo Dun said.

The three nodded together. From now on, Yuan Shoucheng could continue playing his part as a living immortal. They themselves knew what was really happening, and that was enough.

Qin Huaiyu, Cheng Chumo, and Yuchi Baolin looked at Mo Dun with complicated expressions. Life with Mo Dun was certainly exciting, but it also meant learning some of the world’s crueler truths.

They truly could not decide whether discovering the secrets behind Taoism was a blessing or a curse.

Looking out at the nearby Women’s Medical College, they found that all their earlier excitement had vanished. Compared with what had happened that day, their original thoughts and impulses now seemed utterly childish.